Workcover lawyers in Melbourne & Victoria
If you work in Victoria and have been injured at work or diagnosed with a work-related illness or condition, Shine Lawyers’ WorkCover lawyers in Melbourne and Victoria can take action to help with your claim.
Who can make a WorkCover claim in Victoria?
All Victorian employers are required to have WorkCover insurance for their workers. Access to entitlements via workers’ compensation in Victoria are available to you as an employee if you’re injured or ill during the course of your employment and are:
Employed on a full-time, part-time or casual basis; or
Self-employed.
If you’re engaged in other work arrangements such as a juror, or taking on work experience, you may also be eligible to access benefits.
What injuries are covered by workers’ compensation in Victoria?
In Victoria, you’re eligible to make a WorkCover claim if you have suffered an injury in the course of your employment. Injuries and diseases that are covered include:
Injuries sustained at work, resulting from work or during work activities.
Injuries sustained while on an “authorised recess” such as a lunch break.
Injuries sustained while at a work function.
Injuries sustained while attending off-site training or at a course.
Diseases or pre-existing conditions made worse by work.
Injuries suffered while travelling for work.
Injuries suffered while receiving medical treatment for a separate work injury.
What can I claim for?
WorkCover Victoria entitlements depend on your specific circumstances but may include:
Past and future loss of income.
Medical and rehabilitation expenses.
Pain and suffering lump sums.
Paid assistance in some circumstances.
Return to work services.
Travelling expenses.
Permanent impairment lump sum compensation.
How long will it take?
Strict time limits apply for starting your claim. You should lodge a WorkCover claim within 30 days of the injury occurring and see your doctor immediately, as you must bring a claim within 6 years from your date of injury.
There is no set length of time for a WorkCover Victoria claim to finalise. The time frame depends on:
How complicated your circumstances are;
How serious your injuries are; and
The treatment you need to restore your health.
As your WorkCover lawyers in Melbourne, we’ll move as quickly as possible to get your claim finalised, while you focus on your recovery.
Fees
We are committed to ensuring everyone has access to justice and that’s why we offer worker’s compensation services on a No Win, No Fee* basis, so you don’t need to worry about out-of-pocket legal expenses.
We will help you to fully understand your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to.
*Conditions apply.
Injury types covered by workers’ compensation in Victoria
You can make a WorkCover claim for any injury or illness you have suffered as a result of work. Here are just a few examples of the types of workplace injuries you can claim for:
Amputations
Back injuries, including spinal injuries and slipped or bulging disc injuries
Chemical exposure
Death and dependency claims
Fractures
Lacerations
Orthopaedic injuries such as injury to the hips, knees, elbows and shoulders
Psychological injury and stress claims
Repetitive strain injuries
Additional claim types
Our team of WorkCover lawyers will help you understand all the options available to you in more detail. Depending on the circumstances of your issue, you may also be eligible for:
Check if you have a claim with our simple, free online tool.
What we will ask:
Details about the accident and injuries that have happened to you or your loved one
Basic personal information that is relevant and necessary for your claim
What happens next:
Either book a no obligation appointment with a compensation law expert right away or,
Speak with our team about your options
WorkCover claim process
Each workers’ compensation case in Victoria case is different. You will go through a number of steps during the process. However, your WorkCover lawyers in Melbourne will guide you through each step in the process and ensure your claim gets the best possible outcome.
Document and report your injury or illness to your employer
It’s important to immediately inform your employer about your work-related injury and keep any relevant information and documentation relevant to this conversation. Retain any photographs, witness details, text messages, job sheets and work rosters. Complete an injury register or incident report if available to you. Strict time limits apply with respect to WorkCover claims, so it’s important you don’t wait to make an appointment.
Seek medical help and advice
Make a doctor's appointment – preferably with your personal doctor – and explain what has happened. It’s important the doctor documents everything thoroughly and accurately and you ask them for a WorkCover ‘Certificate of capacity.’ From there, get in touch with our client care team who will put you in touch with one of our legal experts.
Lodge a WorkCover claim form
You will need to complete and submit a WorkCover claim form and provide it directly to your employer. You can access the form here.
Your employer must provide your claim form to their insurance company within 10 days.
The insurance company will then have a further 28 days to accept or reject your claim.
We’ll investigate your lump sum entitlements
Once we have gathered all the evidence and documentation required, we will assist you in submitting a claim for lump sum entitlements. We are committed to ensuring the process is simple, streamlined and as stress-free as possible so you can focus on what matters most – your recovery.
Resolve your case
If your claim is successful, you will receive the compensation you are entitled to, so you can focus on your future.
No Win, No Fee*
We do our best up-front to make sure you understand your legal claim, including whether your claim is on our No Win, No Fee* basis.
*Conditions apply
Do you have a claim?
We’re here to make the claims process as simple and stress-free as possible.
It's time to...blow their cover
We've heard too many stories about injured workers being denied their rights, and it's time to make a stand. Your boss can't stop you from making a workers' compensation claim.
WorkCover FAQs
What is WorkSafe?
WorkSafe’s role is to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for workers injured in the workplace. Their two functions in Victoria are as the workplace:
Health and safety regulator
Injury insurer
Can I represent myself, or do I need a WorkCover lawyer?
It is possible to legally represent yourself when making a claim however, doing so successfully will likely require a thorough understanding of the law, your legal rights and entitlements, and a commitment to actively pursue the case to move it forward. Without an experienced WorkCover lawyer in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strengths of your case. Without the right legal advice and support, you then may not receive the compensation you're entitled to. A lawyer can help you maximise your lump sum entitlements.
What aspects of the law can Shine’s Victorian WorkCover lawyers help me with?
Our team of workers compensation experts may be able to help you to:
Submit a WorkCover claim
Contest a WorkCover claim that has been rejected by your employer’s insurer
Understand what to do after taking the insurer to conciliation through the Workplace Injury Commission (WIC)
Support you when your employer is refusing to cooperate with your claim, or pressuring you to return to work
Access compensation if your employer's insurer is refusing to pay for treatment or hasn’t approved your request for surgery
Assist you to gain access to weekly payments of compensation if you are off work
Provide advice if you have suffered a workplace injury and need advice on the next steps
Assist you to lodge a lump sum claim for your loss of earnings and pain and suffering.
Why trust Shine to be my WorkCover lawyers?
We have helped thousands of Australians right wrong and access more than $1 billion per year in entitlements and compensation through our expert services.
95% of the cases we represent are settled without the stress of going to court.
We offer access to affordable legal advice including on a No Win, No Fee* basis and an obligation free initial consultation so you can understand your rights and know where you stand.
*Conditions apply
Where are the Victorian Shine WorkCover lawyers located?
With more than 40 branches across Australia and 1000+ team members, location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers legal advice and support.
If you’d like to speak to our Victorian WorkCover team in person, you can visit one of our locations below:
Alternatively, you can find all our locations here.
If you can't find a location near you, we can easily arrange an obligation-free virtual appointment. No matter where you are located, we will always provide the same, expert advice and manage your claim with the same level of quality and commitment.
How to make a WorkSafe claim?
To make a WorkSafe claim in Victoria you must first complete a Worker’s injury claim form and see your doctor to obtain a WorkSafe certificate of capacity. Shine Lawyers can help you with the WorkSafe claim process.
What incidents need to be reported to WorkSafe?
Under Victorian law, WorkSafe must be notified about the following workplace incidents:
Fatalities
Serious injuries
Health and safety incidents
Serious injuries include where you need immediate onsite or in-patient hospital treatment or medical treatment within 48 hours of a workplace incident. Examples include serious head injury, amputation, serious eye injury, where skin is removed, electric shock, spinal injury, serious laceration, or loss of bodily function.
Individuals can also make a report to Worksafe or using the online complaints’ function.
